10 Years as Faithworks CEO: Ice buckets, the Unexpected & Simple Grace
“I have never written a budget before in between a comics emporium and a New Age shop.” – Alistair Doxat-Purser, CEO In my first week of working for Faithworks as the new CEO in June 2013, we sat in a cramped and slightly mouldy couple of rooms for a team meeting, discussing the fact that the building
Volunteers’ Week: 1 – 7 June 2023
“You are the lifeblood of all that we do” – Alistair Doxat-Purser, CEO 285 volunteers enable us to run 5 Food Banks, our CMA debt advice and budget service, SMILE lone parent families project and support for those moving on from homelessness, addiction and prison via our Arch programme. Many of you who give your time have
Street Talk Tour May 2023 – Helping the Homeless
Online daily prayer - join here Helping the Homeless: from 2015 -2020 the Sleepsafe project helped around 200 people off the streets and into accommodation. This incredible collaboration involved many churches and volunteers working together. Since Covid BCP has not had a formal church provision of a safe beds scheme. David Chidwick, Homelessness Lead at Faithworks, said: "Sleepsafe was
Easter Reflection: I wasn’t expecting that!
Thank you to Alistair, our CEO, for our Easter reflection: Imagine that you had never heard of the Easter story: you read of crucifixion, the preferred and deadly effective deterrent of the day: Jesus tortured, made to carry a splinter-full and awkward cross, and hung on it in the heat of the day. But then you read on…
Easter Holidays Free or Low Cost Activities
As spring is fighting its way through the wintry weather, the Easter holidays are rapidly appearing on the horizon. We have therefore put together another list of free or very low cost activities which will help you to enjoy the Easter Holidays without the stress of adding too much to the budget. Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF) The
February Half-term – free or low cost kids activities in Dorset
“What are we doing today?” is often the question dreaded by parents in the school holidays. With the double challenge of finding entertainment that doesn’t break the budget, we are well aware that the February half-term may feel daunting. From coding, building a bug hotel to a free family film club - we have put together a list
CFB Community Meal – More Than Just A Winter Warm Space
“The Christmas meal was amazing, the atmosphere with the carols singers was wonderful, I didn't want to leave!” – attendee at Christchurch Food Bank+ Community Meal Warm Welcome Spaces have been springing up all over the place at churches, libraries and community spaces across the UK. Food Bank+, supported by Faithworks, have been running a variety of warm spaces
Banish Blue Monday with top tips and resources from Faithworks CMA team
Blue Monday - i.e. the day the credit card bills arrive after Christmas. Combined with the January weather and short daylight hours, it's not surprising the third Monday of January gained this nickname. At Faithworks we believe there is always hope and taking practical steps to address debt and managing money more effectively can enable a sense of calm
Winter Support for those Rough Sleeping
The perils of sleeping rough are very real all year round. But at this time of year with sub-zero temperatures, wind and rain, the work of the local Homelessness Partnership BCP comes into full focus. Faithworks is a founder member of this Partnership and Alistair, their CEO, chairs the Partnership forum. As Christmas approaches people often enquire about what
Louie’s Story: Faithworks Recovery – a Completely Different Person
“I’ve been clean nearly 7 years. If I look back at myself it’s like I am a completely different person now. I used to sell drugs to people - I actually got into drugs because I got told by police, when coming in to school, this will kill you." Louie became involved with Faithworks Recovery in 2019 when he
